Utah Utes football: Utes enter second half of season on a high note

I think we have a pattern boss, could this be history repeating itself? No, just
a great moniker.

Only thing that matters right now is Arizona.

Go Utes!

Samurai JakeSalt Lake City, UT

Oct. 17, 2013 5:14 p.m.

Absolutely on a high note!

They knocked off their bitter rival for
the fourth straight season, they triumphed over #5 Stanford for their signature
PAC-12 win, Coach Whit claimed his 75th victory, and the Crimson Gang has
presented us fans with thrilling shootouts every single game.

Keep
truckin' Utes, you're proving all the naysayers wrong, and all the
believers right.

Go Utes!

truthsandwichRANDOLPH, UT

Oct. 17, 2013 10:13 a.m.

"Stanford is now #13 and falling fast!"

Do byu fans have any
idea how ridiculous they sound?

Four in a row is not being taken very
well.

UWest of I15, UT

Oct. 17, 2013 8:43 a.m.

@jack-a-rus..."We're going to find out that Stanford is really not all
they are being hyped up to be come season's end. Mark that down!"

I can tell you're definitley hoping for that with everything you
have...LOL!

Spokane UteSpokane, WA

Oct. 16, 2013 8:24 p.m.

At jacjarus

I will mark it down in pencil just like all of the
predictions that come from BYU fans, that makes it easy to erase. Kind of like
the bold predictions before the BYU and Stanford games. You do recall those
don't you?

StGtoSLCSALT LAKE CITY, UT

Oct. 16, 2013 7:11 p.m.

"btw, Stanford is now #13 and falling fast."

Ha! Any top 25
team drops a few spots with a loss, no matter who they lose to. Are we gonna
hear from you about how either Florida State or Clemson is "falling
fast" after one of those top 5 teams loses to the other this week?

UteologyEast Salt Lake City, Utah

Oct. 16, 2013 7:07 p.m.

@skywalker

btw, Stanford is now #13 and falling fast.

-----------

So is Virginia.

skywalkerPalo Alto, CA

Oct. 16, 2013 5:31 p.m.

Uteology

"Proof that celebrating the BYU win is MORE important to
"Utedom" than the win over #5 Stanford."

Facetious, but
true.

btw, Stanford is now #13 and falling fast.

UteologyEast Salt Lake City, Utah

Oct. 16, 2013 4:04 p.m.

@Riddles in the Dark

You've stated the Utah fan base's
obsession with BYU very well. Beating BYU is the single most important thing for
Utah fans. Even a big win over Stanford isn't enough of an accomplishment
to be enjoyed on its own. In order to be a worthwhile accomplishment in the eyes
of Utedom, it has to be validated by comparing it to BYU's big win over
Texas.

----------------

You're so right!

* I mean, just notice how RES has been half empty for 22 straight games.

* The season tickets only get sold when BYU is on the schedule.

* Another examples is the MUSS, they didn't even get a penalty for
celebrating the Stanford win. Proof that celebrating the BYU win is MORE
important to "Utedom" than the win over #5 Stanford.

UteologyEast Salt Lake City, Utah

Oct. 16, 2013 3:48 p.m.

@talkinsports

For Utah's sake, you'd better hope that
Utah's football team is more focused on Arizona, than Utah's fanbase
appears to be.

-------------

No, they're studying
film and preparing for BYU in 2016.

That's the only game that
matters, because that's our Super Bowl. After that big game, we don't
care for rest of the season that explains why we have letdowns like winning two
BCS bowl games.

UteologyEast Salt Lake City, Utah

Oct. 16, 2013 3:41 p.m.

@Swoop

Bronco has learned that a single game does not a season
make

--------------

That explains why he can't
accomplish his "Quest".

TamaBYUProvo, UT

Oct. 16, 2013 3:37 p.m.

@ woopYou have stop with the trash talking. We BYU fans have no right to
talk until we can beat the UTES. As of now the Utes have the right to say
whatever they want. We have lost 4 years in a row and they are the better team
in Utah. You are killing me.

Utes, stay humble and put the win last
week in the bag and now its time to look ahead. You gotta back up that win with
another win with Arizona. When we beat Texas, I kinda had a feeling that we
would lose to Utah and we did. Moral of the story, just be humble and
you'll win it!

JohnInSLCCottonwood Heights, UT

Oct. 16, 2013 3:20 p.m.

"For Utah's sake, you'd better hope that Utah's football team
is more focused on Arizona, than Utah's fanbase appears to be."

talking:

For BYU's sake, you'd better hope the
cougars are focused on Houston instead of Utah, as their fanbase appears to be.

jarka-rusLayton, Utah

Oct. 16, 2013 2:48 p.m.

We're going to find out that Stanford is really not all they are being
hyped up to be come season's end. Mark that down!

SCfanclearfield, UT

Oct. 16, 2013 1:17 p.m.

Great win against Stanford. Now hopefully there won't be a hangover that
cost the Utes the next game. BTW. That win over BYU is looking better as the
Cougars have beaten some pretty good teams. Texas, had a huge win last Saturday
over #12 Oklahoma. And Georgia Tech is no slouch. Makes the Utes look all the
better.

Riddles in the DarkOlympus Cove, Utah

Oct. 16, 2013 12:56 p.m.

reasonableUTE

You've stated the Utah fan base's obsession
with BYU very well. Beating BYU is the single most important thing for Utah
fans. Even a big win over Stanford isn't enough of an accomplishment to be
enjoyed on its own. In order to be a worthwhile accomplishment in the eyes of
Utedom, it has to be validated by comparing it to BYU's big win over Texas.

truthsandwichRANDOLPH, UT

Oct. 16, 2013 12:53 p.m.

@talkinsports

"For Utah's sake, you'd better hope that
Utah's football team is more focused on Arizona, than Utah's fanbase
appears to be."

If they're as focused on AZ as you are on
Utah, we'll be just fine.

LOL!

ekuteLayton, UT

Oct. 16, 2013 12:52 p.m.

talkinsports,

Is it ok if we celebrate the current season? You and
you're friends are still celebrating a *win from 30 years ago.

Let's hope the Utes Football Team is focused Arizona, like you are on the
Utes.

reasonableUTEProvo, UT

Oct. 16, 2013 12:43 p.m.

Fans don't need to be focused on Arizona... How well the fans know their
opposition does not affect the outcome of the game in any way. Fans will be
fans, Utah fans own bragging rights over BYU for now, so Utah fans can cram it
down BYU fans' throats all they want. Talking smack after beating ones
rival is part of being a fan. Is it a little over the top sometimes? sure...
When/if BYU fans beat Utah they can talk trash all they want.

talkinsportsGilbert, AZ

Oct. 16, 2013 12:33 p.m.

For Utah's sake, you'd better hope that Utah's football team is
more focused on Arizona, than Utah's fanbase appears to be.

It
wouldn't be bit surprising to see the Utes resting on the laurels after
their big win over Stanford, and forget to show up for Arizona, just like they
did versus UNLV in 2007.

jdub1942PROVO, UT

Oct. 16, 2013 12:23 p.m.

Swoop,

"btw, I'm not a Utah fan talking about BYU on a Ute
article, buddy, LOL!"

Well duh, neither is anybody on this board.
There are some Utah fans responding to a Y troll, however.

Like
VegasUte says,

"...the byU "fan":

- with the
Utah mascot as his moniker- on a Utah story- about Utah's
second half of the season- that has NOTHING to do with byU"

SwoopSalt Lake City, UT

Oct. 16, 2013 12:23 p.m.

VegasUte

Bronco has learned that a single game does not a season
make.

Which is probably why Bronco has had two 11-2, Top 15 seasons
after starting the season 1-2, while for the Utes it's either undefeated
season or bust; usually bust.

BeSmartCheyenne, WY

Oct. 16, 2013 12:21 p.m.

Didnt Utah win the first 3 or 4 in the 1990s. they finished ever for the
decade.Be careful history can repeat itself

jdub1942PROVO, UT

Oct. 16, 2013 12:20 p.m.

"The natural feeling is that something had to go terribly wrong as opposed
to the other team playing better than us," Shaw said. "And they did.
They outplayed us. They played better and smarter."

Great win
Utes!No please continue to play harder and smarter! You already did that
against the hardest playing, smartest team in the country!

SwoopSalt Lake City, UT

Oct. 16, 2013 12:15 p.m.

Jim McMahon pointing scoreboard was the second of three straight dominating wins
over the Utes: 27-0, 56-6, 56-28

btw, I'm not a Utah fan talking
about BYU on a Ute article, buddy, LOL!

Go Cougars!

VegasUteLas Vegas, NV

Oct. 16, 2013 12:14 p.m.

Swoop:

"It's laughable that Utah fans are still so obsessed
with BYU"

Says the byU "fan":

- with the Utah
mascot as his moniker- on a Utah story- about Utah's second
half of the season- that has NOTHING to do with byU

This is
just getting too easy.

Thanks for coming by and proving your Ute
obsession! We thank you for your support!!

"It's laughable that Utah fans are still so obsessed with
BYU". You're under a Utes article, buddy. lol.

Go
Utes.

SwoopSalt Lake City, UT

Oct. 16, 2013 11:49 a.m.

ekute

Sorry, but even for a crimson-glass wearing Utah fan, your
comment is a stretch.

What can be learned from the recent BYU-Utah
series is that anything is possible when these two teams play.

14 of
the last 17 games have been decided by a touch down or less in the closing
minutes or in overtime.

Before that, BYU dominated the previous 20
years of the series.

It's laughable that Utah fans are still so
obsessed with BYU that they're more concerned with a game played a month
ago, than they are with this week's conference opponent.

truthsandwichRANDOLPH, UT

Oct. 16, 2013 11:34 a.m.

@Uteanymous

"Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to
repeat it."

Spoken like a true expert. How has it felt repeating
history the past four years?

ekuteLayton, UT

Oct. 16, 2013 10:44 a.m.

"Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

Great point! 9 0f 12, 4 in row. lol.

Go Utes.

BeSmartCheyenne, WY

Oct. 16, 2013 10:39 a.m.

I respect Utah's program. But show a little respect for other people.Utah has the Pac-12 great go utah.BYU has a national title, heisman
winner Doak winner.Respect eachother.geese.From what I have
seen just starting to look at comments (from a cougar and ute fan)BYU fans
defend themselves the majority of the time (from one commentator), but most fans
want to get on here to just chat not be attacked by other fan bases. PLease respect eachother It is getting harder for me to cheer for the team up
north because of one fan.

Christy BSalt Lake City, Utah

Oct. 16, 2013 10:36 a.m.

Latest bowl projections from Bleacher Report:

"Utah is coming on
strong in 2013 and now owns wins over quality sides like Stanford and BYU.

The remaining schedule is tough but not impossible, and with just two
more wins, the Utes will become bowl eligible. They're probably good enough
to get there."

Utah vs SDSU in the New Mexico Bowl

"Utah State is good enough to survive Keeton's loss and still qualify
for a bowl. But without its do-it-all leader on the field, it's hard to
expect much more."

Utah State vs Army in the Poinsettia Bowl

"Oregon State's offense has been a machine this year,
especially through the air. Sean Mannion and Brandin Cooks lead the nation in
almost every volume-related metric for passing and receiving.

BYU,
meanwhile, famously hung 550 rushing yards on Texas and uses its option rushing
attack to pound teams away physically. Its offense is every bit as hard to
prepare for, it just doesn't function in the same way.

Actually, I have lots of Ute friends; none of them
aren't as arrogant and or condescending as those who frequent these
blogs.

One of the things we've learned from Kyle's teams is
they're capable of losing to anybody, especially after a big win.

BeSmartCheyenne, WY

Oct. 16, 2013 10:23 a.m.

@ chris BNational Champions yet?

Spokane UteSpokane, WA

Oct. 16, 2013 9:55 a.m.

@Uteanymous

You don't have any "Ute friends", don't
kid your self. Still angry about losing to Utah?

UteanymousSalt Lake City, Utah

Oct. 16, 2013 9:34 a.m.

To my dismissive little Ute friends:

Those who fail to learn from
history are doomed to repeat it.

ChristoperBSalt Lake, UT

Oct. 16, 2013 8:21 a.m.

I called an 8-4 season with a split with Oregon/Stanford.

Let's keep this train rolling Utes!

Go Utes!Onward and
Upward

UteologyEast Salt Lake City, Utah

Oct. 16, 2013 8:07 a.m.

Stanford was a nice win, time to move on.

Utah's defense is
improving each week. If the offense can limit the TOs, as they did against BYU
and Stanford, look for a 4-2 record in the 2nd half of the season.

Go
UTES!

Cletus from CoalvilleCoalville, UT

Oct. 16, 2013 6:45 a.m.

People seen after we won stanford that we will win the national championship
again like when we beat alabama.

Sparkley BriefsNew York, NY

Oct. 16, 2013 6:18 a.m.

Thanks to Sportsfan for that irrelevant lesson on 2012 UW football. The Utes
are looking much better than I expected this year and are proving to be
competitive with some of the best teams in the country. This has been a really
fun year and we still have games against Oregon, USC, and ASU among others. I
think the Utes are going bowling, which would be a great accomplishment
considering the team's inexperience and schedule. Good team. Good times!

UteinIdahoSandpoint, ID

Oct. 15, 2013 11:45 p.m.

Sucked for Washington. They sure rebounded well Though this year... Speaking of
this year... Go utes!!!

nosaerfoeciovehtNSL, UT

Oct. 15, 2013 11:45 p.m.

@ SportsFan

"Stanford won the PAC 12 championship with
back-to-back wins over UCLA and finished the season 12-2 with a win over
Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl."

Thank you for pointing out that
Stanford is not over-rated this year, and what an impressive win that was for
the Utes.

The other Ute-haters are still trying to spin Texas as a
better team than Stanford. I don't think they're going to like your
post very much.

Spokane UteSpokane, WA

Oct. 15, 2013 11:40 p.m.

@Sportsfan

So what? Do you really have to dig that deep and pretend
to connect the dots in hopes of Utah faltering? How truly sad that you would
take the time to make a goofy, unrealistic comparison.

4-2 Baby!
What Washington did last year is totally irrealavent, nice try though.

GO UTES!

gdog3finallyWest Jordan, Utah

Oct. 15, 2013 11:27 p.m.

@Sports Fan

Good information.

I don't think Utah will
let down. They haven't won every game, but this young and talented group
lays it on the line. That said, I certainly don't think Arizona is anything
close to an easy win. They will present match up problems for Utah.

As solid as Stanford is, Utah had the right players and plan to beat them.
Arizona is more like UCLA to me. Now, Utah could have beaten UCLA. They were -5
in the turnover margin, yet if Jake Murphy could have gotten one shoe length
down in the end zone on the second to last play, then Utah would have most
certainly gone to overtime for a second straight PAC 12 game. The loss to OSU
51-48 before Utah's young defense gelled was a tough loss as well.

Utah was creative and opportunistic in getting Dres Anderson the ball last
Saturday. It will be tough to do so throughout the second half of the year
though. With Jake Murphy and Kenneth Scott out for the rest of the season,
defenses will look to key on Dres Anderson. The run game will be huge if it can
keep improving.

UoU 1991Park City, UT

Oct. 15, 2013 11:12 p.m.

The Utes need to put the Stanford game behind them.

I still have
nightmares about what happened to Utah the last time the Utes had what was the
considered a big upset win over a PAC 10 team from California (UCLA), only to
get manhandled on the road the next week by a lightly regarded team from the
great American Southwest.

SportsFanOrem, UT

Oct. 15, 2013 10:47 p.m.

On Thu, Sept 27, 2012, Washington upset 8th-ranked Stanford 17-13.

Washington was blown out in its next three games at Oregon 52-21, by USC
24-14, and at Arizona 52-17 (coincidentally, 3 of Utah's next 4
opponents) and ended up finishing the season 7-6 with season-ending losses to
Washington State and to Boise State in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Stanford
won the PAC 12 championship with back-to-back wins over UCLA and finished the
season 12-2 with a win over Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl.